MS Engineering with Mechanical Engineering Emphasis

Emphasis Description

The M.S. in Engineering with an Emphasis in Mechanical Engineering degree provides specialized expertise in mechanical engineering by providing a rigorous curriculum and innovative research in three distinctive areas: Design, Optimization and Manufacturing; Energy, Fluid and Thermal Systems; and Mechanics and Materials. The M.S. thesis program offers students the opportunity to conduct state-of-the-art research in a number of areas of pressing societal concern. The M.S. non-thesis program offers students added professional training through added coursework and engineering M.S. project completion.

The Design, Optimization and Manufacturing option provides a basis of study in product design and the process for building those products. The Energy, Fluid and Thermal Systems provides a basis for study of diverse topics such as energy or fluid power systems. Finally, the Mechanics and Materials provides the student with insight into methods for analyzing new materials and systems and how new products and technologies use these materials.

Admission to the Emphasis

Program of Study

In addition to the requirement for the M.S. in Engineering, the Mechanical Engineering Emphasis Area requires Masters coursework to be taken from classes in discipline specific areas. The M.S. in Engineering with Mechanical Engineering Emphasis requires a minimum of 33 semester hours in the Program of Study, which consists of:

► A minimum of 24 semester hours of coursework, which must include

23 hours of graduate-level coursework, including

9 hours of which must be selected from the Mechanical Engineering Emphasis course list.

12 hours of which must be from UGA courses open only to graduate students and exclusive of thesis (7300) and research (7000, 7010).

1 hour of ENGR 8950 Graduate Seminar *

And either

► Thesis Option

A minimum of 6 hours of master’s research (7000) or project-based research (7010). A typical student’s research hours will exceed this minimum; however, at most 6 hours of 7000/7010 may be listed on the Program of Study.

3 hours of MS thesis preparation and writing (7300)

Or

► Non-Thesis Option

6 hours of additional emphasis area courses

3 hours of ENGR 7010 Project Research and a Master’s Project Report

* Only 1 hour of Graduate Seminar may apply on the Program of Study. Students are strongly encouraged to continue regular attendance of speaker series presentations even if not formally registered in the seminar.

The thesis option is provided for students wishing to receive professional training via coursework integrated with research training through the successful completion of a thesis. In the MS Thesis Option, all coursework is selected consistent with specific degree and emphasis area requirements in coordination with the Student’s Faculty Advisor and approved by the student’s Advisory Committee on the Program of Study. To receive the M.S. degree, each student is required to present a satisfactory research proposal approved by the student’s advisory committee and the graduate coordinator and pass a final examination and defense of the research thesis.

The non-thesis option is provided for students either currently employed in professional practice or wishing to emphasize only professional training through their MS. For the MS Non-Thesis Option, all coursework is selected consistent with specific degree and emphasis area requirements and approved by the program’s Graduate Director and Advisory Committee on the Program of Study. The Graduate Director serves as the student’s faculty advisor. The student identifies an appropriate faculty member to serve as supervisor for their Master’s Project who then works in coordination with the Graduate Director to advise the student through degree completion. The supervising faculty for the Master’s Project, the Graduate Director, and Graduate Coordinator comprise the student’s Advisory Committee. To receive the M.S. degree under the Non-Thesis Option, each student is required to complete a Master’s Project under the supervision of a faculty member and submit a Masters Project Report for approval by the student’s Advisory Committee.

Students elect their MS option at the start of their programs. In the event a student wishes to change their degree option during their program, the student must request a change in degree objective. Students successfully petitioning to change their previously elected MS option must 1) complete at least two full-time semesters in their new option before they are eligible for graduation, 2) adequately complete any prior work to which they committed or for which they were supported under assistantship in their prior option, and 3) after option change start and complete either the MS project requirement (ENGR 7010) or MS thesis research requirement (ENGR 7000/7010, 7300). Only students in the thesis option are eligible for College assistantship support.

Completion of the M.S. requirements for all programs in the College of Engineering fulfill all requirements of the University of Georgia Graduate School. No grade below C will be accepted in the program of study. To be eligible for graduation, a student must maintain a 3.0 (B) average on the graduate transcript and a 3.0 (B) average in the program of study.

Mechanical Engineering Emphasis Course List

As a requirement of the M.S. Engineering Degree with Emphasis in Mechanical Engineering, students must complete a minimum of 9 credit hours selected from among the list below. Students will work with their graduate advisor to select the most appropriate specialty area and coursework.